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Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has hailed Roy Keane as a ''fantastic leader'' and says his former captain's qualities are rubbing off on him at A-League side Sydney FC.


''He had an influence on me and was a great leader and it was just an honour to play beside him and learn a great deal from him as a captain,'' Yorke said.

Yorke led Sydney to avoid the wooden spoon with a 2-1 win over Egypt's Al Ahly at the club world championship in Tokyo on Friday night.

''I've got the role as captain (at Sydney) and I try to remember how he led the team,'' he added.

''I'm not trying to be Roy Keane in any way or form, but I picked up one or two things along the way and it feels great.''

Yorke, who played with Keane in the United side that won the English Premier League, European Champions League and FA Cup treble in 1999, said he was not surprised at Keane's move to Celtic but was disappointed with the manner in which the Irish midfielder left the Reds.

Keane controversially parted with United after 12 years at Old Trafford following an argument with manager Alex Ferguson last month.

''It doesn't surprise me. I was disappointed he had to leave the club in the manner he did but everything comes to an end and Roy is a fantastic player and a fantastic leader,'' Yorke said.